Hundreds of families, providers, and state agencies rallied at the Capitol Tuesday morning asking for lawmakers to offset Medicaid cuts that are set to take effect in June.“Medicaid matters, we believe this, we live this, and our legislators need to know this,” said Erin Taylor with the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council.As provider reimbursement rates for Medicaid may be cut by 25 percent, these supporters are asking lawmakers to back a proposal for a cigarette tax increase, that will help pay for the Medicaid Rebalancing Act of 2020.If nothing is done to help offset these cuts, health organizations fear rural hospitals, nursing homes and mental health clinics may be in danger of closing.Lori Wathen’s 13-year-old son receives speech therapy through Medicaid.If the proposed cuts go into effect, she fears the clinic her son goes to will have to close its doors.“I don’t know where my son would get speech therapy then,” Wathen said.After the rally families walked through the Capitol asking lawmakers to do something about the Medicaid cuts.“It’s a life matter for us, this is a matter of where people are going to be neglected, be without some of the most basic, medical care in their life, it’s a crucial issue,” Taylor said.Legislators have until the end of the May to take action.If they don’t, the proposed Medicaid cuts are set to take effect June 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Hundreds of families, providers, and state agencies rallied at the Capitol Tuesday morning asking for lawmakers to offset Medicaid cuts that are set to take effect in June.

“Medicaid matters, we believe this, we live this, and our legislators need to know this,” said Erin Taylor with the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council.

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As provider reimbursement rates for Medicaid may be cut by 25 percent, these supporters are asking lawmakers to back a proposal for a cigarette tax increase, that will help pay for the Medicaid Rebalancing Act of 2020.

If nothing is done to help offset these cuts, health organizations fear rural hospitals, nursing homes and mental health clinics may be in danger of closing.